Fiber Optics
Caltech research reveals underground fiber optic cables as effective earthquake detectors
(UI) — In California, a network of underground fiber optic cables serves as a vital internet connectivity conduit. However, a Caltech study showed that these underground cables could function as earthquake sensors, detecting and quantifying seismic activity.
OFS launches fiber solutions program to install broadband across the country
Manufacturing facilities in Connecticut, Georgia, Massachusetts, and New Jersey enable OFS to support the goals of both the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the Build America Buy America Act.
CommScope expands fiber optic operations, brings 250 jobs to Catawba County, North Carolina
(UI) — Telecommunications infrastructure provider CommScope plans to add 250 new jobs with a $60.3 million investment to expand its fiber-optic cable manufacturing operations in North Carolina’s Catawba County, Governor Roy Cooper said on July 25.
Zayo to expand fiber network infrastructure across the nation
Zayo Group Holdings, Inc. announced a series of expansions to its independent fiber network infrastructure, including new long-haul dark fiber routes, increased fiber capacity for existing routes, additional 400 Gbps (400G)-enabled routes and new IP points of presence (PoPs).
James Q. Crowe, fiber optic, telecommunications pioneer dies at 74
Crowe Company announced that James Q. Crowe, a technology and telecommunications visionary who spearheaded the fiber optic telecommunications revolution, died July 2nd in Paradise Valley, Arizona, after a battle with pulmonary arterial hypertension.
$20.4 million fiber-broadband project to benefit over 8,000 customers in Lumpkin County, Ga.
The combined venture will enable Kinetic to lay more than 450 miles of optical fiber cable to bring high-speed internet to residences, businesses and schools.
Biden administration pledges nationwide internet access by 2030 using domestically-made cables
Biden said more than 35,000 projects are already funded or underway to lay cable that provides internet access. Some of those are from $25 billion in initial funding as part of the “American Rescue Plan.”
ComEd awarded $14.5 million federal grant to deploy fiber optic infrastructure in underserved Chicago communities
The Middle Mile Grant will leverage ComEd’s planned infrastructure investment to affordably bring new middle-mile infrastructure into 24 communities in need, representing 440,000 households in communities like North Lawndale, Englewood, Woodlawn and South Shore.
Liberty VI continues fiber network construction work in St. Croix, St. Thomas
(UI) — The ongoing work will employ various underground technologies to mitigate roadway disruptions, such as utilizing a micro-trenching technique that minimizes pavement breakage and dust emission by producing a minimal cut and using existing ducts whenever feasible.
Editor’s Log: A fiber road paved by HDD
(UI) — By the late ‘90s, fiber backbone construction was marching across the land like Sherman to Atlanta. It was the early version of cryptocurrency – every investor was going to become a multi-millionaire overnight. The market for directional drills hit unprecedented – and unrealistic – highs. HDD was the perfect technology to aid the expansion of fiber installation, along with trenching and plowing. It was the telecom version of the early 1980s oil boom.
Lumos invests over $50 million in North Carolina fiber optic expansion project
"One of our strategic actions is to increase the availability of high-speed broadband throughout the County – this investment allows us to do just that," said Desiree Patrick, Harnett County Community Relations Director.
Fermaca Networks launches “first of its kind” fiber optic route from West Texas to Central Mexico
“This $175 million investment is the first phase of Fermaca Networks’ Mexico network expansion. It marks the first phase of bringing much sought Long Distance Dark Fiber availability between the US and Mexico," said Edgar Mosti, Chief Revenue Officer of Fermaca Networks.
Network Connex expands fiber operations into the Pacific Northwest
(UI) — Network Connex, a mission-critical digital communications infrastructure service provider, announced that it has broadened its network communication service offerings into the Pacific Northwest.
Harbor Peak breaks ground on seven-mile fiber optic conduit system in Ashburn, Va.
(UI) — The underground infrastructure system will enable lateral connections into the many data centers surrounding the conduit system, and interconnect to Harbor Link’s 60-mile conduit build along I-95 to Washington D.C. and Baltimore, Maryland, totaling approximately 300 route miles between the networks.
i3 Broadband expands fiber optic network to Greater Rockford area, Il.
As part of its investment in the Greater Rockford region, the company plans to increase its local workforce as new communities are added.
Ohio city invests $7 million in fiber optic network
Ohio-based Omni Fiber and the City of Wilmington have partnered to bring broadband access to the majority of the city with a new state-of-the art 100% fiber network.
Bandwidth IG adds third dark fiber route to San Francisco network
Approximately 300 MW of additional data center capacity is under development in the Silicon Valley market, according to Cushman & Wakefield. The growth demonstrates the immense need for reliable infrastructure to connect compute locations, cloud providers, and network operators across the market.
CommScope to increase U.S. fiber optic cable production to connect underserved communities
CommScope’s expansion will introduce a new HeliARC fiber optic cable, specifically designed for the needs of rural deployments while investing $47 million CapEx in the U.S. toward expanding fiber optic cable production focused on rural applications.
Empire Access to expand fiber optic network in Pennsylvania
This expansion comes as Empire Access recently announced plans to build fiber in nearby Pennsylvania communities, Williamsport and Scranton.
Luna Innovations wins fiber optic monitoring system contract for major U.S. clean energy project
Luna’s technology will provide temperature, depth of burial, and acoustic monitoring for the power cables that form the backbone of the system. The monitoring services will help ensure safe, efficient delivery of renewable, reliable, low-cost power over the area’s 300-mile transmission line.
EXA deploys Infinera’s fiber optic solution across European submarine cable system
This project creates a unique fiber optic network connecting Milan, Tirana, Athens, Sofia, and Istanbul with high-quality, high-performance, and ultra-reliable digital infrastructure.
Fastwyre to build “robust” fiber optic network in Oakdale, Louisiana
Fastwyre is committed to expanding in Louisiana as it recently launched a successful fiber optic network in Westlake and plans to bring service to the southwest Louisiana communities of DeRidder and Leesville in the coming weeks.
Alabama House approves $660 million in funding for water, sewer, broadband upgrades
The Alabama House on Tuesday advanced a plan to use the state’s final $1 billion in federal pandemic relief funds mostly on a mix of water and sewer infrastructure, broadband expansion and health care reimbursements.
Ziply to acquire fiber optic network provider in Washington, Idaho
Founded in 2001 and headquartered in Liberty Lake, WA, Ptera serves more than 4,000 customers in the cities of Airway Heights, Cheney, Liberty Lake, Medical Lake, Otis Orchards and more. All Ptera employees will join the Ziply Fiber team as part of the acquisition.
Zipfly Fiber upgrades copper infrastructure to fiber optic network across Washington, Oregon
With the addition of these markets, Ziply Fiber has announced new fiber construction projects in more than 90 cities and towns across the Northwest since it began its extensive fiber expansion efforts in the summer of 2020.
Crown Electrokinetics partners with telecommunication infrastructure company to build fiber optic network across Northwest US
The agreement expands Crown’s customer base and geographic coverage with operations now in Washington, and soon to expand to Oregon and California.
Fastbridge to begin constructing fiber optic network in Pennsylvania
The expansion is part of a multi-year initiative to build fiber internet in areas of Pennsylvania where there hasn’t been a competitive choice or access to fiber-optic internet.
Metronet expands fiber optic network throughout Grand Rapids, Michigan
Metronet’s fully funded multimillion-dollar investment will provide more residents and businesses throughout the city with access to Metronet’s ultra-high-speed, multi-gigabit fiber optic internet.
Illinois city declared a Certified Gigabit City with expansive fiber optic network
Metronet has officially declared East Moline a Certified Gigabit City Powered by Metronet after the company’s ultra-high-speed, multi-gigabit fiber optic network became accessible to a majority of households and businesses throughout the city.
Fiber Experiences Record Growth in 2022
(UI) — As the year 2023 begins, the fiber optic cable industry hopes to build on a record year for deployment of fiber to the home (FTTH). In 2022, a record number of homes (7.9 million) were connected to fiber, according to a survey made by RVA, LLC. That brings the total of broadband-connected addresses in the United States to nearly 40 million.
- Intrepid Fiber breaks ground on fiber optic network in Superior, Colo.
- Excavator collides with I-95 overpass in Henrico, Va., causing multi-vehicle crash
- Shrewsbury, Mass., expands sewer inspections and cleaning efforts
- Authorities investigating trench collapse that killed worker in Ashburn, Va.
- Katy, Texas passes moratorium on fiber-optics projects after damage to water lines
- Illinois overhauls Peoples Gas pipeline program, mandates focus on high-risk pipes
- Ameren Illinois to invest $140 million in natural gas pipeline replacement program
- Charlottesville, Va., to begin work on 24-inch water line for Rivanna River crossing
- Mass. governor slams Trump for ‘dangerous delay’ of $50 million in lead pipe replacement funds